The initiative constitutes a success
story in the bilateral cooperation between Uzbekistan and South Korea, and is
seen as a priority for Uzbekistan Airways and the country in general.

It is primarily aimed at the improvement of quality of passenger service
and bringing it up to the latest international requirements and standards. It
will also help to meet the growing demand for air travel, improve airport
infrastructure, as well as increase the tourist flow.

Feasibility study of the project was developed with the assistance of
grant funds of the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in
January-July 2016. In the course of this work, experts of Uzbekistan Airways
and the Korean side did much to assess the current state of the infrastructure
of the capital's air harbor and aviation industry of Uzbekistan, development
prospects, and develop a concept of construction of the international passenger
terminal Tashkent-4.

When developing the feasibility study, KOICA selected organizations with
pool of relevant experience. They are the five companies of the Republic of
Korea: Incheon airport - the project manager, Heerim, Yooshin, EY Hanyoung and
Transport Institute of Korea.

In December 2016, the government of Uzbekistan and the Eximbank of the
Republic of Korea signed a loan agreement on allocation of borrowing funds of
EDCF Fund of Korea for the project. As a result, its total cost exceeded $430
million.

According to the feasibility study, the area of Tashkent-4 will make up
nearly 87,000 square meters, capacity – 1,500 passengers an hour, or 5.7
million a year. From a bird's-eye, the terminal will resemble outstretched
wings of the Humo bird of happiness. The terminal will have four floors, a
platform for 36 planes, and a driveway with parking. The construction of the
terminal will take three years. Construction and installation works are
scheduled for this year.

The document envisages the
implementation of a package of measures aimed at the formation of an effective
road management system based on comprehensive approach to the design,
construction and maintenance of roads and buildings, improving their financing
system, creating a complete service of the customer, contributing to improve
the quality of design and road construction works.

The abolished State Joint-Stock Company for the construction and operation
of roads (SJC "Uzavtoyul") has been replaced by the State Committee
of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Motor Roads. It will serve as the specially
authorized body of the state for road management.

The State Inspectorate for Quality Control of Road Construction Works
under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan is to be set up.

The Decree provides for the subordination of the Republican Road Fund
under the Ministry of Finance to the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan.

The new system of public administration in the field of road
construction should ensure effective implementation of the resolution of the
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On measures to implement the
Program of development of regional roads in 2017-2018”.

Uzbekistan has established a
Guarantee Fund for small business development. The President of the Republic of
Uzbekistan signed the corresponding Decree on February 10.

The State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for privatization,
demonopolization and development of competition acts as the main founder of the
Fund, while the Association of Banks of Uzbekistan, Chamber of Commerce, as
well as a number of large banks and insurance companies act as its
shareholders.

The Fund is established in order to further improve the business climate
and accelerate the development of entrepreneurship.

Lack of collateral is one of the main obstacles in obtaining bank credit
by small businesses. Meantime, it is the most common reason for refusing a
credit.

The Guarantee Fund is intended to provide security to banks for loans
granted to small businesses, to the extent not covered by the pledge of up to
50% of the loan amount, but not more than $100 thousand.

The Guarantee Fund also provides advice to small businesses, assists
them in creating high-tech and innovative industries.

Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

It gives me a great pleasure to
congratulate You on the occasion of the landmark date – the 25th anniversary of
establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Uzbekistan considers Great Britain
as an important international partner and one of the leading world powers with
enormous political, economic, technological and intellectual potential.

We highly value the dynamic and
equal relations with Your country, which have been established in the past
period. The roots of these relations trace back into the centuries. Over 40
British delegations visited Uzbekistan in recent years. We believe that this
fact speaks for the commitment of the two states to further develop equally
beneficial and constructive cooperation.

I would like to note that at
present, when our countries are going through the crucial social and political
events in their modern history, in Uzbekistan we look with optimism at the
prospects of our interaction with the United Kingdom.

We highly appreciate the support of
the British Government and the people during this very important period for our
country and consider the recent visit of the Minister of State Sir Alan Duncan
as confirmation of a keen interest of the UK in further strengthening our
bilateral relations.

We are committed to the continuation
of the practice of mutual visits and further consistent strengthening of
partnership with Great Britain in the spheres of political dialogue,
inter-parliamentary cooperation, economy and industry, advanced technologies,
culture and arts, ensuring regional security and stability.

I am confident that the
Uzbek-British relations based on the principles of mutual respect and equal
consideration of interests will continue to strengthen for the benefit and in
the interests of our nations.

Having built a stable science
management and financing system, Uzbekistan has a wide scholarly network of
schools, laboratories, institutes, research centres, ministries, and councils.

The government has recently fuelled research resources and opened a batch
of complexes, among them the Genomics and Bioinformatics Centre, the
International Solar Energy Institute, and the Cambridge-affiliated High
Technology Centre.

The scientific fleet is swayed by the Academy of Sciences, a flagship
centre connecting research pioneers and demanding close governmental attention.

As a proof of this close attention, Shavkat Mirziyoyev held his first
meeting as President with the scientific community.

From January 1, scholars are paid tax-exempt salaries of 10 minimum
wages and are eligible to free-of-charge treatment in sanatoriums.

As research financing stumbles and talent pool dries up, a major
overhaul is in order to restore scientific prestige, implement state
programmes, and provide scientists with necessary conditions.

The Action Strategy 2017-2021 has it as priority to boost scientific
activity and open laboratories and research centres.

Following his dialogue with the people in regions, the President set
objectives to restore the scientific potential and attract talented youth by
mobilising scientific research and merging science and production.

The Presidential Resolution ‘On Measures for Further Development of the
Academy of Sciences and Scientific and Research Activity Organisation,
Governance and Financing’ aims to address the issues.

The Resolution reorders the Academy’s activities and provides for a
number of scientific establishments to be opened or returned under the
Academy’s aegis.

Apart from forming exact science, natural science and humanitarian
departments, the Resolution provides for a new office to be opened in Navoi, to
quarterback research and development in Navoi Region.

The heads of the Karakalpak and Navoi departments, as well as the chief
of Khorezm’s Ma’mun Academy are now placed on the academy’s vice-presidential
footing.

A Financial Stimulus Fund will be opened to encourage scientific
breakthroughs. The fund will receive 10% of profits by the Academy’s research
centres.

The State Science and Technology Commission headed by the Prime Minister
will shape state policy on science and innovation.

A science and technology commission, replacing the Science and
Technology Coordination Committee, will formulate state tasks in implementing
scientific innovation.

These steps will stoke up scientific activity and prune ineffective
research areas.

A Scientific and Technical Activity Support and Development Fund,
established as a legal entity under the Resolution, will:

create new university laboratories;

fund patents filed by local scientists;

supply laboratories with equipment;

fund access to international scientific databases; and finance
internships in international scientific centres.

The Resolution follows in the footsteps of Uzbekistan’s science policy
and serves to fulfil the Action Strategy for 2017-2021. It will raise
academia’s prestige, improve organisation, and attract talented youth, among
others.

AIBA is to hold the Asian Boxing Championship 2017 for men in the Uzbek
capital.

Asian Boxing Championship 2017 is
due in Tashkent from 30 April to 7 May. In the weight category from 49 to over
91 kg, in addition to the medals, there will be awarded licenses for the World
Cup, which, in turn, will take place in Germany from 25 August to 4 September.

The composition of the national team
of Uzbekistan to participate in the Asian Championship awaits to be determined.